Ministry forms inspection teams for cooperatives in key governorates

• Ministry sources stated that if any abuse or misconduct by cooperative boards is suspected, it will be addressed decisively through immediate review by inquiry committees to protect the sector crucial for the country’s food security.

The Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies reported that the Ministry of Social Affairs, through its cooperation sector, has formed teams of specialists to inspect four cooperative associations in the Hawali, Al-Ahmadi, and Mubarak Al-Kabir governorates.

The teams will review the associations’ operations and financial records to assess their compliance with Law No. 118/2013 on cooperative societies, its amendments, and relevant ministerial decisions governing cooperative work, as reported by Al Jarida newspaper.

According to ministry sources, if the team confirms any suspicion of abuses, irregularities, or deliberate misconduct by the boards of directors of these cooperatives, such as misuse of their powers that could threaten or waste shareholders’ funds and harm the association, it will be addressed decisively. Inquiry committees will immediately review the association to preserve this vital sector, which serves as the country’s food security safety valve.

The sources stressed the ministry’s commitment to achieving the ultimate goal of cooperative work: providing high-quality goods at cooperative prices to ease the financial burden on general consumers, both citizens and residents.

The sources also highlighted that the work of these teams will run parallel to the efforts of investigation committees formed by the ministry based on reports from financial and administrative supervisors or shareholder complaints alleging financial and administrative abuses by the boards of directors.

It was clarified that teams will begin their work regardless of whether a specific problem or issue has been identified within an association, with their efforts being continuous throughout the year, in addition to those of the audit committees.

Furthermore, under the recent cooperation protocol signed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Zakat House, aimed at providing financial support for charitable funds for social welfare homes, the sources revealed that the ministry has received an initial payment of 45,000 dinars.

A further payment will be disbursed at the end of this month, with the total amount of support from the Zakat House reaching 200,000 dinars. This support will be directed to special categories served by the ministry, including elderly shelters, family nurseries, and juvenile homes.

A technical committee, led by the ministry and including a representative from the Zakat House, will be formed to approve the projects to be funded, whether existing or new. The agreement will be valid for one calendar year, starting at the beginning of next year and ending on December 31. The sources noted that if the proposed budget is increased based on the projects, it will be accommodated; however, any surplus funds remaining at the end of the agreement period will be returned to the Zakat House.

This agreement aligns with the directives of the Council of Ministers to localize charitable work and redirect its resources to serve various segments of society.

Additionally, the Minister of Social, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, issued Ministerial Decision No. 247/2024, transferring the responsibility for studying, preparing, and reviewing the ministry’s work regulations and procedures from the Organizational Development Section to the Service Development Department in the Administrative Development Department. Any provisions contradicting this decision will be annulled, and the decision shall be implemented as of its publication in the Official Gazette.